Compound rotational grip

ABSTRACT

An improved paddle apparatus for standup paddling of surfboards or like water craft, having a plurality of hand grip portions rotatably mounted relative to the paddle shaft, and a means of paddling whereby the operator can ergonomically paddle with greater power and control on either side of the water craft without breaking either hand grip. A further improvement includes using the handgrip in the position perpendicular to the paddle shaft to determine the blade position by feel and steer with greater torque. An alternative embodiment includes rotation of the grip itself, further reducing the twisting of the wrists and other joints.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to an ergonomic grip for humanpowered propulsion through water using paddles or oars, particularly thesport of standup surfing, which requires the paddler to exercise extremeangles for blade entry. More specifically the present invention relatesto an improved handle system of rotating a grip having compound axis ofrotation. Such a system allows a paddler to paddle on either side of asurfboard while standing with correct form for maximum power withoutbreaking the hand grip yet exercising good ergonomic form.

2. Description of the Related Art

Surfing has been a popular sport on the Hawaiian Islands forgenerations. Typically the surfer lays on his or her stomach to paddle,when not under wave power. Recently surfboards have been used with apaddler standing in relatively small waves, such as a bay with paddlesfor propelling the floating craft through water. Typically the paddlesare double bladed.

It is advantageous for the blade of the paddle to enter the waterdirectly next to the watercraft. From this more natural position thepower of the stroke is greatly increased while reducing the angulartorque, which tends to send the watercraft off course.

In addition, the paddler wants to minimize twisting of the torso. Thisunnatural twisting not only reduces efficiency, but also leads tofatigue. Over extended periods of time it can lead to repetitive straininjury to the wrists, arms, and torso.

Injuries common to prolonged double bladed paddle use include; carpaltunnel syndrome, wrist tendonitis, rotator cuff muscle tears and backstrains and injuries.

One reference in the prior art is application Ser. No. 10/905,576 toLane et al. showing a paddle attachment having a rotating grip. Thepresent invention provides another axis of rotation to provide furtherrelief to joints. Further, springs have been added to provide a “homeposition” when at the top of stroke, when the grip is horizontal.

The constant need to change and adjust the grips demonstrated in theprior art have hindered the use of a breakaway adhesive to better adherethe users hand to the paddle.

DESCRIPTION OF THIS INVENTION (ART) SUMMARY

The principle object of this invention is to provide an improved paddledevice for standup paddling for surfboards or like water craft, having aplurality of handgrip portions rotatably mounted relative to the paddleshaft having advantage of compound rotation.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

Another objective of the invention is to introduce a rotatable handgripwith stops to lock the grips in position roughly parallel to the shaftand perpendicular to the shaft.

Another objective is to provide the advantages of a single bladed “t”handle grip without the disadvantage of interference to the grip by theshaft.

It is a further objective to introduce a method of paddlingincorporating advantages of both single and double bladed paddles bymeans of a dynamically rotating grip portion of the paddle.

In this method the operator can ergonomically paddle or maneuver using adouble bladed paddle with the same motion as a “T” gripped single bladedpaddle to propel the craft with greater power and accuracy than with thedouble bladed paddle.

The operator can use this double bladed handle can be used on eitherside of the watercraft without breaking their hand grip by dynamicallyrotating the grip from one position to another.

Further this method of paddling allows more free and natural movement ofthe arms and torso reducing stress to the joints and muscle groups.

In addition this method of paddling allows complex maneuvers on eitherside of the craft quickly without breaking the hand's grip. By rotatingeither grip to the orthogonal position the grip becomes a lever for thepaddler to know the position of the blade, which is also in the sameplain as the races, and to be able to exert more force to steering orother maneuvers.

Another advantage, because the handgrip need not be broken to executecomplex maneuvers, or switching sides, aids to improve the grip such asVelcro, or other chemical sticking agents, on gloves, can now be used toreduce fatigue by securing the hand to the paddle grip.

An alternative embodiment includes rotation of the grip itself allowingcomplex rotation and further reducing the twisting of the wrists andother joints.

A further embodiment of this invention includes a hollow diameter ofshaft tubing, for improving the strength to weight ratio, larger thancan easily be gripped by a person. This is because the handgrip and theshaft are no longer the same piece.

A further embodiment of the present invention includes multiple parallelshafts between the grips and/or between the grip and the paddle actingas a beam to further strengthen and stiffen the resulting structure.

With the embodiment of the parallel shafts, the grip portion may bemoved up and down the beam to accommodate the needs of the paddler.

A further embodiment of this invention includes a further protection ofthe knuckles of the hand by a hand guard.

A further embodiment of this invention includes the use of ball bearingsin the rotatable portion of the handle to make the dynamic rotationmovement smoother.

A further embodiment of this invention allows a soft locking mechanismto lock the grip into position.

A further embodiment of this invention allows an opening near the stopas a pressure release, which has several advantages: first it soft locksthe paddle into the stop position; second this acts as a mechanism toremove sand or grit the would otherwise be trapped in the races.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technicaladvantages of this invention so that those skilled in the art may betterunderstand the detailed description that follows.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that they may readily use theconception and the specific embodiment disclosed as a basis formodifying or designing other structures for carrying out the samepurposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will alsorealize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spiritand scope of the invention in its broadest form.

DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows an illustrative perspective view of a person paddling withone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a top perspective view of one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 shows a detail perspective view of an alternate embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 shows an anterior perspective view of a portion of the embodimentfrom FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows a posterior perspective view of a portion of the embodimentfrom FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 shows a lateral perspective view of the embodiment from FIGS. 5and 6.

FIG. 8 shows a lateral perspective view of the embodiment from FIG. 7with the inner annular structure and grip rotated 90 degrees.

FIG. 9A shows a schematic side view (B) of a base member being attachedto a d frame in a partially rotated position creating an angle theta 1.

FIG. 9B shows a schematic side view (B) of a base member being attachedto a d frame wherein theta is zero.

FIG. 9C shows a schematic side view (A) of a base member being attachedto a d frame which has been rotated 90 degrees showing the d frame beinglaterally constrained.

FIG. 9D shows a top down view of a base member

FIG. 10A shows a side view of a grip mounted on a d frame with in apartially rotated configuration.

FIG. 10B shows a face on view of the configuration in FIG. 10A.

FIG. 11 shows an alternate embodiment to the configuration shown in FIG.9.

DESCRIPTION—FIGS PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate several advantages of the present invention.When standing while padding, the paddler's torso is positioned wellabove the water level requiring a steep level of entry of the paddleblade (16) and shaft (14). The outer housing (12) is positionedgenerally in the same plane as the blade orientation (16) but can beoffset, for example in an orientation known in the art as feathering.The paddler's top grip is rotated to be approximately 90° out of phasewith the shaft (14) while the bottom grip is generally in phase with theshaft (14), while creating a compound angle as shown in FIG. 3 anazimuth with the plane of the paddle (16) blade. Azimuth can generallybe defined as an angle being formed by a non orthogonal projection fromthe plane of the ring. In the present embodiment, an interior annularstructure (20) being in connection with a grip (24), and sized andformed to conform with the human hand, about 12 to 14 cm inner diameter.The grip (24) has a diameter to be gripped comfortably about 2.5 to 3cm, with a length to fit inside the interior annular structure (20). Thefirst interior annular structure (20) is attached to rotate about aconnector (22) in such a way as to form compound angles between theinterior annular structure (20) and a second medial annular structure(30) which is generally constrained to be positioned in the planedefined by the paddle blade, yet is able to rotate within that plane.This particular embodiment further comprises a pin and a race toconstrain the rotation in a predetermined fashion. Further, a returnmechanisms (26), in this case springs, but can also be stops, elasticmembers and the like, can be used to modulate travel of the wrist in apredetermined and ergonomic fashion.

FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 show an alternate and generally preferred embodimentfor the housing (12). An alternate interior annular structure (20 a),having a slightly convex outer cylinder, is fitted between a superiormedial annular structure (30 a) and an inferior medial annular structure(30 b) having in inner cylinder being substantially matched to the outercylinder of the interior annular structure, so as to generally make aball and socket type fitting. The medial annuli (3oa, b) being securedto the outer housing (12). In such an arrangement, and without furtherconstraints, the interior annular structure (20 a) would be free torotate in any direction. A plurality of stop pins (26 a, b); preferablytwo, however, more can be accommodated, are placed to constrain themovement of the interior annular structure (20 a) in a rotationgenerally concentric with the support (38) edge of the superior medialannular structure (30 a) in a smooth fashion. The support (38) edgesubstantially laying parallel to a plane orthogonal to the vector ofrotation of the annular structure. As a stop pin (26 a or b) rotatesinto the vicinity of a soft swivel guide (36 a, b, c, or d), which arelocated in predetermined positions around the support (38) a pin (36 a,b, c, or d) is free to rotate azimuthally creating compound rotation asindicated by theta 3 in FIG. 7. FIG. 8 shows a situation where a pair ofstop pins (26 a and b) are situated between two soft swivel guides (36a, b) thus removing opportunity for azimuthal movement.

FIGS. 9 through 11 shows yet a further embodiment comprising compoundrotation. FIG. 10A shows a grip (24) being attached to a d frame (172)structure; which can be plastic, aluminum, or other sturdy material, andbeing attached to a base member (160) by means of a locking pin (164),the locking pin comprising a secure connection about which the d frame(172) being able to rotate or twist about the locking pin (164). Thebase member (160) can be removably attached to a shaft (14), as is knownin the art.

As shown in FIG. 10B, it is preferred the d frame (172) be rounded,chamfered, terrace, stepped, sloped or the like, in order to betterinterface with an alternate soft swivel guide (136 a, or b) to allowrotation in as smooth a manner possible. One or more soft swivel guides(136 a or b) can be located in a base member (160 or 160 a). As theorientation of the d frame (172) is oriented in accordance with thesupport (138) in FIG. 9 or the planar surface in FIG. 11, the d frame(160) and therefore the grip (24) will have no bases for azimuthalorientation. As, however, the d frame (160) becomes oriented or alignedwith a soft swivel guide (136, 136 a) which is generally formed as adepression, corrugation, trough, channel, trench, furrow or the like;relative to the plane of the base member (160) an azimuthal angle, suchas theta 1 shown in FIG. 9A is formed. One skilled in the art candetermine the optimal azimuth for a given situation and further adjustthe support (138) height or equivalent to achieve the desired result.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

Although the present invention has been described in detail, thoseskilled in the art will understand that various changes, substitutions,kiralgnev and alterations herein may be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.

1. A rotating grip providing enhanced arm and wrist movement a providedby compound rotation comprising: (a) a grip being attachedcross-sectionally to a first annular structure, (b) a second annularstructure, having a having an interior diameter larger than the exteriordiameter of the first annular structure, (c) a plurality of connectorsextending between the first annular structure and the second annularstructure, in such a way as to facilitate said first annular structurebeing attached to rotate about the connectors, (d) the second annularstructure being mounted to an outer housing in such a way as to rotateabout the center of annular structure in the plane of the ring.
 2. Thedevice according to claim 1, wherein: (a) said upper race combined withsaid lower race comprising a race well. (b) said grip handle having afirst end and a second end and a gripping region: (c) said first end andsaid second end containing a rotation guide to stabilize said griphandle into said race well.
 3. The device according to claim 2, wherein:(a) said race well contains a locking stop to limit the range of motionof said grip handle between approximately parallel and perpendicular tosaid shaft (b) said locking stop contains a locking daddo to furthersecure said grip handle in a locked position.
 4. A means of propulsionfor use in standup paddling by means of an improved paddle methodcomprising: (a) an operator standing on a surfboard grasping a pluralityof grip handles which are rotatably mounted relative to a paddle shaft(b) said operator executing a starboard (right) side paddle strokecomprising; (i) said operator inserting said blade into water on saidstarboard side of said craft and executing said paddling motion topropel said craft (ii) the left hand of said operator, which is farthestfrom water, having naturally rotated said grip handle to a positionperpendicular to said shaft and the right hand of said operator, whichis closest to water, having naturally rotated to a position parallel tosaid shaft (iii) said operator retrieving said blade from water andreturning to a neutral position where said blade one and said blade twoare equal distance from water (c) said operator executing a port (left)side paddle stroke comprising: (i) said operator inserting said bladeinto water on said port side of said craft and executing said paddlingmotion to propel said craft (ii) the right hand of said operator, whichis farthest from water, having naturally rotated said grip handle to aposition perpendicular to said shaft and the left hand of said operator,which is closest to water, having naturally rotated to a positionparallel to said shaft (iii) said operator retrieving said blade fromwater and returning to said neutral position where said blade one andsaid blade two are equal distance from water.
 5. A rotating grippropulsion apparatus for use in human propulsion of small water craftssuch as kayaks and canoes providing a full complement of arm and wristmovements, said rotating grip propulsion device comprising: (a) a shafthaving a first end, a second end, and an intermediate region; (i) saidfirst end having a blade portion for executing a paddle stroke whichcomprises propulsion through the water by means of inserting a bladeinto water and pushing or pulling through said water in a motion whichis perpendicular to the plane of the blade. (ii) said second end havinga blade portion for propulsion through water being substantially equalto said first end (b) said intermediate region of said device includinga center point, a first grip housing, and a second grip housing: (i)said first and said second grip housing being equidistant from saidcenter point, said first and said second grip housings for manipulatingsaid propulsion device through water, and (ii) said first and saidsecond grip housings each including a universally rotating grip handleof each first and second handle comprising: an upper race, a lower race,a grip member rotatable between said first race and second race, aplurality of fasteners securing said upper race to said lower race,(iii) whereby an ergonomic paddling device is made.